WINNIPEG — Some non-profit and sports groups in Manitoba say they have been hit hard by a cut to the province’s summer job program for young people.

The NDP government has reduced funding to its Green Team program this year by $4 million, to $5.6 million.

Ian Bushie, the minister of municipal and northern relations, says the former government boosted spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, and even with the reduction, spending will still be above pre-pandemic levels.

Baseball Manitoba says many of the regional associations it represents have been getting funding approval for years but are being rejected this time around.

The group’s executive director, Jason Miller, says children and young adults are normally hired to maintain ball diamonds and fields.

The Prairie Mountain Regional Museum in western Manitoba says it was also rejected this year when it applied for funding for two student jobs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2024

The Canadian Press